Rhea Zandee, age 83, peacefully went to be with her Lord and Savior on the morning of February 7, 2023, surrounded by her family. Rhea was preceded in death by her parents, William and Rhea VanTongeren, and by her loving husband of 60 years, Ken. Rhea is survived by her four sons and daughters-in-law Jim (Joyce), Don (Melanie), Tom (Gail), Tim (Kristen); 12 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren; and brother Larry (Carla).

Rhea was a lover of children. She started a children's choir while only in high school herself. She taught many bible clubs, inviting the neighborhood kids (and her children and grandchildren) into her basement to learn about Jesus. Her grandchildren have many fond memories of the countless hours she spent baking, playing outside, and playing board games with them. Her favorite hobbies were baking, especially her famous "fudge jumbos" and gardening. Much of her yard was transformed into garden beds, and the many people who were invited to cut through her yard on their way to Brookside Church got to admire her beautiful flowers.

As a young woman she suffered a back injury that led to multiple surgeries and months of being on bedrest. During this time she received a lot of support from her community, and she spent the rest of her life giving back. She opened her home to many throughout the years, and she was known for eagerly extending the invitation to others to join her family for her incredible Sunday dinners. Rhea was also a gifted teacher. She taught elementary school for a few years but spent the majority of her life teaching the Bible and her study on "The Victorious Life" to women across the city. She will leave a generational spiritual legacy on her family and many of the women she mentored and their families.

Visitation will be held at Brookside Christian Reformed Church, 3600 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, on Friday, February 17 from 4 to 7 PM and on Saturday, February 18 from 10 to 11 AM, followed by a memorial service at 11 AM. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Kid's Hope, one of the many organizations that Rhea served in throughout her life.